Portable house



'F. C. DORMAN.

PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.I3, 1911.

APatented tI@I11.4,1921`.'v

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ATTORN EY F'. c. DoH-MAN.

. PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPLlCATlN FILED AUG. I3, 1917- latented J an. 4, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY F. C. DRMAN. PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPL|cAT |oN FILED Amma. 19u.

Patented Jan. 4,1921;

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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w 6%/ o ATToRi Ev F. c. DORMAN. PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-13, 19|?. 1,364,357.

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INVENTOR ATTGRNEY Patented Jan! 4,1921.

F. C. ORMAN. PORTABLE HOUSE.

WETN ESS ES ATTOR NEY @gd .V l BY ATTORNEY f F. C. DGRMAN.

PORTABLE HOUSE. l kn'lcmou HLEUAUGJISL k19u.

,Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

N INVENTR F. c. DORA/IAM PORTABLE HOUSE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. I3, i917.

Patented Jan.I 4, 1921.I

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTOR NEY F. C. DORMAN.-

PORTABLE HOUSE.

, APPLICATION FILED Aue. I3. I9I1.

Patented Jan. 4,1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8 Q l-NVENTOR f'amar/mm WITNESSES ATTORN EY UNITED STATES FRANK GORNLE'US DORMAN, OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

PORTABLE HOUSE.

Lacasse.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedJ an. 4, 1921.

Application led August 13, 1917. `Serial No. 185,957.V

To all whom 'it mog/concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. DonMAN, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Charleston, in the county of Kanawha and State of lWest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Houses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to portable knockdown houses.

The main object ot the invention is to provide a simply constructed house ot this character which is light in weight yet weather proof and gives excellent protection against both heat and cold.

.Another object is to construct a building of this character which requires no tools other than a screw driver and a wrench to assemble or disassemble it and which may be erected by a minimum number ot usen with a minimum consumption ot time.

Another object is to so construct a house of this character that no piece ot lumber employed in its construction will be more than twelve feet in length and not a section more than four feet in width thereby render ing the parts light and easy to handle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view7 which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details ot construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment oit' the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing :trom the spirit ot the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l represents aside elevation oi" a house constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof,

Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Fig. l is a plan view with the root sections removed and-someoithe beams,

Fig. 5 is a. side elevation lwith one side removed and the root` sections showing the trame construction ott the building,

Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section,

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 7 2 ot' Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a detail `transverse `section through the vchimney and the parts adjacent thereto,

Fig. 9 isa horizontal sectiontalren on the line 9-9 fof Fig. l,

Fig. lOis a detail perspective view of one ot the beam or joist' supporting hangers used in connection with the ooring, and

Fig. 11 is a detail `horizontal section taken on the line 1l-11 ot Fig. l,

Fig. 12 is a `sectional detail of the .roof structure on the `line 12-12 ot Fig. l =showing more clearly the joint :tormed `between the main and filler root sections.

Fig. 13 is a detail view in perspective `of the upper end oi? one of the corner posts and the outer end of the ratter secured thereto.

The house constituting this invention, which is especially ydesigned as a field kitchen, although `obviously it may be used for any other purpose for which it isadapted, may be of any `desired size and configuration. As shown, this house comprises a supporting base composed of side beams l and end beams 2, the meeting ends of which are mitered as shownat 2 .in Fig. 2and are hingedly connected at the corners by strap hinges 3 arranged on the inner faces of said beams, said hinges being detacha-bly connected with said beams by screws or bolts or both. rlhe mitered ends of these beams are also preferably connected by `bolts la as shown 1n Fig. 2.

Corner plates l are also secured to the lower faces ot the beams 1 and 2 `at the corners thereof and operate as auxiliary connections for said beams. As shown, these plates 4 are fined to one of the ends oi adjacent beams and overlap the other beam. The plates are here shown one secured to each end beam 2 and one to .each side beam, the free ends of said .platesvlappingthe adjacent beam end.

Cross beams 5 connect the side beams l at intervals, any `desired number of which may be employed, two being here shown.`

These beams are of a length equal to the distance between fthe inner `faces ofthe side beams l and are designed to be arranged between them and are provided at :their ends with extensions which overlap the upper faces of said beams and rest thereon, the portions of the cross beams which eX- tend between the side beams being held by hangers 6 (see Figs. 7 and 10).

The hangers 6 which are constructed as shown in detail in Fig. 10 are composed of cast steel plates shaped to form a body portion 8 which is designed to abut one end of beam 5 and to lie against the inner face of beam 1 by which it is supported.l rlhis body member 8 has a flange 9 projecting laterally from its lower edge to engage the bottom or lower face of beam 5 and side Hanges 10 which engage the side faces of said beam. hook 11 extends rearwardly from the upper edge of the body member 8 of the hanger and is designed to engage a socket in the upper face of beam 1 by means of which said hanger is retained in its adjusted position.

Fach of the cross beams 5 is provided on its upper face with one or more cleats 12, said cleats having undercut side edges as shown clearly in Fig. 6 to provide for the dovetailed connection therewith of the floor board sections as will be presently described.

lAs shown in Fig. 9, one cleat 12 is arranged centrally on one of the beams 5 while the other beam carries two of said cleats 12a and 12b spaced longitudinally apart.

Resting upon this foundation frame just above described, at the corners thereof, are four posts 13, as the frame is of rectangular configuration in the embodiment herein illustrated, although obviously it may be of any other desired configuration. These posts are set square upon the foundation frame and secured thereto by strap hinges 14, one leaf of which is secured to the upper face of one of the beams 1 or 2 of the foundation frame and the other to the inner face of the post 13 so that when the structure is collapsed these corner posts may fold down on the adjacent beam to occupy as small a space as possible. However, it is to be understood that the posts 13 are disconnected from one sill before being folded on the other sill.

Arranged between the corner posts and supported by the end and side beams of the foundation frame are a plurality of intermediate posts 15 and 15 respectively, four K being here shown, it being obvious that in larger constructions as many additional posts as are necessary may be provided. These intermediate posts 15 and 15 are inserted in seats 16 formed by mortising the upper faces of the beams 1 and 2 as is shown clearly in Fig. 6. These posts are held in said seats 16 by means of plates 17, each of which is screwed or otherwise pivotally connected at one end to a beam 1 or 2 on its inner face and at its other end is detachably engaged with a stud 17 a transverse slot 17 being provided in said plate for this purpose as is shown clearly in Fig. 6. j

At the top the posts 13, 15 and 15 are connected by a cap frame consisting of side joists orV beams 18 and end joists or beams 19, the latter being mortised into the posts 13 and 15 as shown clearly in Fig. 5, the side beams being arranged in a plane above said end beams and hingedly connected with the posts 13 and 15 by strap hinges 20. The side beams 18 are each made in two sections 18a and 18b hingedly connected at their inner ends to the upper ends of the side posts or studding 15 carried by the side beams or sills 1. (See Fig. 5.)

The posts 15 which are carried by the end beams 2 project some distance above the cap frame and support at their upper ends a cap beam 21 which forms a central support for the roof to be described and for rafters which support gable sections 22 which are each made of two parts 23 and 24 to facilitate handling thereof. These members 23 and 24 each includes upright boards screwed to an inclined strip or bar and a horizontally disposed strip 26, the inner ends of strips 26 being beveled to permit one to overlap the other as shown clearly at 27 in Fig. 3 and which are bolted to the end beam 19 of the cap frame when the parts are assembled. The free edges of the strips 25 are notched as shown at 28 to receive slats 71 of the roof presently to be described.

Gable end rafters 30 are mortised and interlockingly engaged with and bolted t0 the upper ends of the corner posts 13 as is shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 13 and are hingedly connected at their upper ends to the upper ends of the posts 15 by strap hinges 31. (See Fig. 8). These rafters 30 are also mortised at their upper edges to receive the slats 71 above referred to. Simi` lar rafters 30 are arranged intermediately between the ends of the building as shown in Fig. 7 and are secured at their upper ends to the beam 21 and hingedly connected to each other by strap hinges 31. The lower ends of said rafters 30 are arranged between sections 18;L and 18b of the side beams 18 and are hingedly connected to thc intermediate posts 15 which are carried by the side beams 1 of the foundation frame by hinges 31".

A removable floor, a bottom plan view of which is shown in Fig. 2 and a top plan view in Fig. 9, is supported by the foundation frame and is composed of nine sections numbered 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 48 and 49 which are visible from inside the building as shown in Fig. 9 and two end filler sections 50 and 51 which extend transversely of the licor to support the end sections of the lfloor `proper and provide `for the leveling of the floor. These filler sections correspond in thickness to the thickness of the end extensions 5 ofthe cross i beams or joists 5 which rest on the upper faces of the side beams 1.

Sections 4l and 42 which are arranged in longitudinal alinement at one side ofthe building have their inner ends beveled to fit under and interlockingly engage the undercut faces of cleat 12b while sections 45 and 46 which are arranged at the opposite side of the building have their inner ends similarly beveled to lit cleat 12a carried by the same joist as cleat 12b. The intermediate sections 43 and 44, the former of which is shorter than the latter, have their inner ends beveled to fit under the undercut edges of cleat l2 which is carried by the other cross beam or joist 5 midway its length. Sections 43 and 44 are recessed at their outer ends as shown at 43 and 44 to snugly .fit posts 15 carried by the end beams 2. (See Fig. 9).

Side sections 45 and 46 which are of the saine width and are arranged in longitudinal alinement have their outer edges engaged in abutting relation with the inner faces of the corner posts 13 at the side of the building on which said sections are disposed and the space between said corner posts and the intermediate post 15 is iilled in by the sections 47 and 48 which are in the form of straight strips as is shown clearly in Fig. 9. Sections 49 exterior to the sections 4l and 42 are disposed between the intermediate and corner posts to fill the space at the opposite side and complete the floor.

All of the floor sections above described have cleats as 52 arranged transversely of their lower faces and secured thereto in position to engage the sides of end beams 2 and cross beams 5 whereby yin connection with the cleats 12, 12gl and 12b, said sections are reliably held in xed position and all possibility of their buckling or becoming` disconnected is avoided.

Carried by the beams `1S of the cap frame are a plurality of joists 54 which extend transversely across the building, being spaced longitudinally apart Varying distances and any desired number of which may be used. The ends of these joists are mortised on their lower faces and beveled on, their upper, said ends being disposed in seats formed in the upper faces of the beams 1.8, the seats in one beam being directly opposite those in the other so that the joists will be parallel when assembled. The ends of these oists are detachably secured to the beams 18, bolts being here shown for this purpose. As shown clearly inFig. 4, five of these joists areemployed and are recessed on their lower faces midway their ends to receive the longitudinally disposed bar 56 `which is designed as an attaching member for the ceiling plates'presently to be described. This bar 56 is detachably connected with the joists 54 by means of bail shaped hangers 57 which are pivotally mounted in said bar and are designed to engage rotatably mounted catch members in the form of hooks 58 which are carried by the faces of the joists in position convenient for engagement by the hangers 56 (see Figs. 6, 7 and 8).

Carried by the joists 54 and the longitudinally extending bar 56 is a ceiling 59 composed of a plurality of ceiling plates 59a, 59b and 59c any desired number of which may be employed, three being here shown and which are attached by means of cleats or strips 60 which are secured to the joists 54 and to the bar 56 by means of bolts 61. The plates may be composed of any suitable material; preferably of liber board and the edges thereof rest on the cleats 60 as is shown clearlyl in Fig. 6, the bolts passing through said cleats between the meeting ends of the boards. The middle plate 59b is shown composed. of two sections, 59d (see Fig. 7) to facilitate assembling of the parts.

One of the ceiling plate sections has an opening 62 formed therein preferably adjacent one end of the building and in which is designed to be mounted a chimney 63 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 8).

Two of the joists 54 are arranged along opposite sides of the opening 62 as is shown clearly in Fig. 4 and are provided in their upper faces with a plurality of sockets designed to receive pins 65 which have flexible connections 66 secured thereto. These connect-ions 66 are secured at their other ends to locking keys 67 which are here shown in the forni of strips and are designed to iit in grooves 68 formed in diametrically opposite faces of the chimney 63 and which rest on the joists 54, being designed to hold 'the chimney in operative position and to prevent all possibility of its slipping through the opening 62. This chimney is made as here shown rectangular in form and is designed to lit in the opening 62 at its lower end and to extend at its upper end above the roof of the building any desired'distance. The keys 67 by being connected with the pins 65 are prevented from being lost or misplaced when disconnected from the chimney when the building is knocked down.

The central beam 21 is detachably connected at its opposite ends with vthe end studding posts 15 by means of piyotally connected catches 68, one of which is disposed on one side of said beam and one on the other as is shown clearly in Fig. 4. the free ends of said catches being hool; shaped and adapted to lit over studs as 69 carried by the posts 15 (see Fig. 6).

By so connecting the bea1n21 with the posts l5, said beam maybe readily detached by disengaging the catches 68 from the studs 69 and then lifting said beam out ofthe seats in the end and intermediate rafters 80 and 80 in which it is mounted, it being understood that the lcap member hereinafter `to be described has first been detached.

The end and intermediate rafters 30 and 80 are provided in their upper faces with longitudinally alined seats 70, those in the individual rafters being spaced longitudinally apart and are designed to receive longitudinally extending slats 71. These slats 71 are provided with a plurality of pivotally mounted bails 7 2 which are designed to engage rotatably disposed hook members 7 8 carried by the rafters 30 and 36 on one face thereof adjacent the seats 7 O formed therein.

As shown7 two of these slats 71 are mounted on each side of the roof, (see Fig. 7 and by hooking the bails 72 thereof over the hooks 7 8 and turning said hooks downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 7 these members will be securely connected to the rafters and they operate attaching means for the roong presently to be described.

Slate 74 are arranged along the eaves of the roof7 as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, and are each composed of two sections 75 and 76 which are provided on their meeting ends with tongues 77 designed to fit under a strap 78 carried by the rafter 30 at its lower end and which is disposed over a cutout portion or recess therein to form a seat for the` tongue 77 of the slat sections just described. rlhe outer ends of these sections 7 and 7 6 are also cut out to iit the upper ends of the posts 123 and which cutout portions provide tongues 79 which are designed to fit in recesses formed in the lower ends of the gable rafters 30. These tongues 79 are provided with locking barils 80 which are designed to `detachably engage hooks 81 carried by the bars 25 on the gable ends of the building as is shown clearly in Fig. 6. These cave slats 74 are wider than the slats 71 and are designed to overlap the beveled ends of the joists 54 as is shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 8.

The roof proper 82 consists of a plurality of sections detachably mounted on each side of the roof, any desired number of which may be employed7 three being here shown on each side and which are similar in construction except that those on one side are made of different widths from those on the other so that their connecting joints will be arranged in staggered relation.

One side of the roof as shown in F ig. 1 is composed of three sections 88, 84 and 85 de tachably connected by joint ysections 86.

kThese roof sections are each constructed of wooden or other suitable plates 87 each covered with galvanized iron indicated at 88 and bent over the edges of plates S7 and secured thereto so that said wooden plates will be amply protected against the weather. The metal covering 88 of each plate has one edge folded and bent upwardly to provide a joint connecting flange 89. These flanges are positioned on the opposed edges of the sections and theI joint sections 86 have interlocking flanges 90 carried thereby which are designed to t over the flanges 89 and form a weatherproof connection between adj acent sections of the roof as is shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 12. These joint sections 86 are each composed of a wooden strip 86 of a width designed to fit between two adjacent roof sections and they are covered with sheet metal 91 preferably galvanized iron in a manner similar to the sections 83, 84 and which they connect, said covering `91 being provided at its opposite ends with depending tongues 92 which fit over and are secured to the wooden strips 86 and the flanges are spaced from the sides of said strip a distance sufcient to receive between them and the strip the upstanding fianges 89 of the roof sections which said joints connect. These strips 86 are each provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced spacing blocks which operate as attaching means for clips 94 which are positioned to engage the slats 71 and 74 of the roof frame when the parts are in assembled position as is shown clearly in Fig. 6 and by means of which said joints are connected to the frame and operate to reliably protect the joints of the roof sections to prevent the entrance of water between them.

Fach of the roof sections is provided on its inner face with a plurality of transversely spaced cleats 95 which carry clips 105 96 similar to those carried by the strips 86 and which are so positioned that the cleats will lie against the upper edges of the slats 71 and 74 when the roof is assembled and the clips 96 will clip over said slats and re- 110 liably connect the sections thereof as is shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 6.

The cleats 95 of these sections have cutout portions formed therein of a width corresponding to the rafters 8O and 80 so that 115 when the sections are assembled these rafters will lit into the spaces so formed and permit the roof sections to lie flat against the slats 71 and 74 with the clips 96 hooking over the upper edges of said slats and clamping the sections thereto. Obviously any desired number of the clips 96 may be pro* vided on each of the sections, provided that suicient are used to securely retain the sections in interlocking engagement with the supporting slats 71 and 74. As shownV in F ig. 8, these sections are provided at their ends with clips 96 which hook over the projecting ends of the slats.

`On one side of the roof one of the sections 13e thereof has an opening for the passage therethrough of thechimney 63, said chimney being also preferably covered with galvanized iron and having flanges 63 which are designed to interlockingly engage cooperating flanges 63 formed around the opening in the roof section, said opening being positioned to register with the opening 62 in the ceiling.

A roof cap 97 is arranged at the apex of the building as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, and is designed to overlap the upper edges of the roof sections and their connecting joints 86 to prevent all possibilityT of the entrance of moisture. rlhis cap 9? is composed of two sections 98 and 99, the meeting ends of which are beveled so as to overlap as shown at 100. This cap is co1nposed of a wooden member 101 substantially inverted V-shaped in cross section and protected by a galvanized iron covering 1027 the edges of which are bent down around the edges of the wooden member and secured thereto as is shown clearly in Figs. 7 and 8. A beam 103 ismonnted in the bottom of the inverted V-shaped or trough-shaped cap member' and has bolts 10st extending there through and projecting some distance beyond the inner face thereof and which are designed to pass through the beam 21 and be secured by nuts in the ordinary manner as is shown clearly in Fig. 6. The opposite ends of this beam 103 are provided with bail shaped locking members 105 which are designed to engage rotatably mounted hooks 106 carried by the gable ends of the building as is shown clearly in Fig. 6, by means of which said cap is detachably connected with said gable ends. The inner face of the side walls of the wooden member or body portion 101 of the cap is recessed as indicated at 107 to receive' the seam joint locks 86.

The inner end of the cap section 98 has its covering projecting some distance beyond the wooden portion thereof to provide for its lapping engagement with the section 99 and thereby prevents all possibility of moisture entering therebetween.

The side walls 108a and 120 of this building are each constructed of a plurality of detachably connected sections, these walls as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7 being in three sections 108, 109 and 110, each having a longitudinally extending cleat 111 at its bottom, the cleats of the sections alining longitudinally and being adapted to engage the floor of the building attheir lower edges when in operative position (see Fig. 6). Similar cleats 112 are carried by said sections near their upper ends. The side walls are secured to the posts 13 and 15 by means of bolts 113 and 113, Figs. 6 and 7.

These sections are provided on their outer faces near their lower edges with cleats sin1ilar to those shown at 114 in Fig. 1 which illustrates the opposite side of the building. These cleats 1111 are designed to rest against the upper edge of a metallic reinforce 115 which is carried by a wooden strip 116, said reinforce 115 projecting at its upper edge above the upper edge of the side strip to which it is united by screws as shown at 117, bolts 118 being employed for connecting the reinforced strips to the side sills 1 of the base of the building.

A strip 119 extends longitudinally across the upper end of the side wall just described and is secured thereto by the bolts 113 which project outwardly from the posts 13 and 15 and thus operate to connect both the sections of the side wall and the retaining strip 119 as is shown clearly in Fig. 7.

llhe other side wall 120 which is shown in elevation in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 7 is composed of three sections similar to the sections of the side wall 108L and are secured in position by similar connections being provided on their inner faces with cleats 121 near their lower ends and with similar cleats 122 near their upper ends, the sections constituting said side wall 120 being also provided on their outer faces with the cleat 1141 above referred to and which is designed to rest at its lower face on the upper edge of a reinforcing strip 115 carried by a wooden strip 116 which combined strips are secured to the sill 1 at this side of the building by the bolts 118.

This side wall 120 has a retaining strip 119 disposed longitudinally across its outer face near its upper end as is shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 7 and which operates to assist in retaining the sections in adjusted position, being held lby bolts 113 in a manner similar to the wall 108n hereinbefore de scribed. This side wall 1.20 has a window 123 provided at its upper edge with hinges 1241 which are detachably connected with studs or hooks 125 carried bv the outer face of the wall 120 so that the window may be detached when desired. The opening in the side wall 120 in which the window 123 is fitted is provided with the usual frame and has a lug 126 as is shown clearly in Figs, 7 and 11 and which is designed to be engaged by a toothed pivoted catch member 12'? carried by the window for locking it either in closed position or in outswung adjusted position.

A door 128 is mounted in the wall 120 to open inwardly, a frame 129 being arranged around the opening therefor and against which the door abuts when in closed position.

The reinforcing or attaching bar 119 is recessed at its lower edge as is shown at 130 to fit over the upper end of the doory frame.

The end walls 131 and 141 are similarly constructed and hence one only will be described in detail the outer face of one wall being shown in iig. 3 and its inner face in Fig. 7, and both end walls being shown in section in Fig. 6. The end wall 131 is composed of three sections 132, 133 and 134 which are constructed similar to the side walls 108n and 120, being provided at their lower ends on the inner faces with cleats 135 which are fastened thereto preferably by screws and which are designed to rest on the floor of the building when in operative position as is shown clearly in Figs. 6 and 7 Cleats 136 are secured to the inner faces of said sections near their upper ends and the upper terminals of these end sections project under the bars 26 which are carried by the end gables as is shown clearly in Fig. 3 and which cover the connection of said sections with the gable ends and prevent all possibility of the entrance of moisture at this point. Mounted on the inner faces of the sections of these end members are buttons or latches 137 which are pivotally connected at one end to one section and have their free ends lapping the adjacent section and which assist in holding the sections in operative position against all possibility of separation.

Reinforcing strips 138 similar to the strips 116 and 116 are secured to each end of the building below the end sections thereof, said strips being covered in the same manner by galvanized iron facings 139 which have their upper edges projecting above the strips 138 and which abut the lower faces of cleats 140 carried by the outer faces of the end sections at the bottoms thereof as is shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 6.

Hangers 142 are preferably carried by the end sills 2 and are designed to receive a movable beam 143 which extends longitudinally of the building and operates as an additional support therefor.

When the house has been set up as shown in elevation in Figs. 1 and 3, and it is desired to knock it down or disassemble the parts thereof for moving or for other purposes, this operation is accomplished by first removing the chimney 63. The keys 67 are detached from the chimney and the latter is withdrawn through the opening 62 in the roof by an upward pull. The screw hooks 106 are then disengaged from the bails 105 carried by the roof cap and the cap may then be removed by exerting a straight upward pull thereon. After this cap has been removed the roof joints 86 are detached by pushing them longitudinally upward a short distance. say one half inch, more or less, and then pulling them to disengage the clips carried thereby from the slats 71 and 74. The roof sections are next removed by pushing them upwardly and then lifting them off, the upward pushing movement operating to disengage the clips 96 carried thereby from their engagement with 'the slats 71 and 74. After these roof sections have been removed, the slats 71 and 74 may next be taken 0E by first disengaging the hooks 7 3 from the bails 72 carried by the slats.

After these slats have been removed all of the base screws are first partly loosened and then the retaining strips 119 and 119 are removed by disengaging the nuts on the ends of the bolts 113 and 113. After these strips have been removed the weather boarding of said members may be lifted ofi'. The gable ends may next be removed by unbolting them from the rafters and from the end beams of the roof frame.

The ceiling section may be removed by loosening up the screw nuts at each end of the house then removing the two middle and cross cleats and the ceiling panels may then be readily removed.

The ceiling joists 54 are removed by disengaging the screw nuts from each end and pulling said joists out of their seats.

To remove the flooring the wedges 53 are first driven out and the floor sections are taken up one by one in the manner heretofore described. After these floor sections have been removed the joists 5 may be lifted out of the hangers 6 and said hangers disengaged from the side beams of sills 1 in which they are supported.

The center studdings and the rafters together with the entire side top plate are attached together, constituting four pieces in all, which may be disconnected by unscrewing the nuts on each plate which is fastened to the corner studdings, one hook at the bottom of each center studding and then the whole plate may be removed.

The end center studding 15 which is connected with the two rafters 30 may be removed by disengaging the nuts from the bolts which hold them in place. To disconnect the corner posts or studdings from the bottomsills 1, unscrew the nuts from the bolts which connect said studdings to the hinges 14, then lift up the other leaf of the hinge and fold the studdings flat on the bottom sills. It is to be understood that before this removal of the corner studdings, the reinforced strips 116 at the sides of the building and those 138 at the ends thereof should be first removed by unscrewing the bolts which connect them to the side and end beams. After these parts have been disassembled in the manner above described, they may be stored or placed in a comparatively small space for storage or transportation and when it is desired to set up the house again, the parts may be readily assembled in the manner hereinbefore described and which will require the services of three men only for about four hours to erect a building of ordinary size, it of course being understood that when a larger building is to be erected more men and more time will be necessary to do so.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention together with the device which l now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrativeand that such changes may be made as are within the scope of the claimed invention.

I claim l. In a portable house, a floor comprising long and short sections disposed in alternation to break joint with the short sections opposite the outer ends of the long sections, and parallel licor beams arranged in line with the joints formed between the abutting ends of the floor sections and having cleats approximating the length of the joints and interlockingly engaging the abutting end of the floor sections.

2. In a .portable house, end and intermediate {ioor beams, one of the intermediate beams having a centrally disposed cleat and the other intermediate beam having end cleats, long side floor sections resting upon an end and the intermediate beam, short floor sections in line with the long sections and resting upon the other end beam and the adjacent intermediate beam, a middle short floor section between the outer ends of the long floor sections and resting on an end and the adjacent intermediate beams, and a 4middle long section resting on the other end beam and the intermediate beam and in line with the middle short section, the several alining long and short sections interlockingly engaging the cleats of the intermediate beams.

3. In a portable house, a supporting base comprising side, end and intermediate cross beams, the latter having projecting terminal portions overlapping and resting upon the side beams and provided with cleats, filler sections on the end beams, licor sections disposed to break joint and resting upon the filler sections and cross beams, with the inner ends of adjacent sections interlockingly engaging the cleats of the cross beams, inclosing walls and cleats on the inclosing walls overlapping the outer ends of the iioor sections and assisting materially in retaining them in proper position.

4;. A portable lrnockdown house including a collapsible foundation frame, comprising i end and side sills hingedly and detachably connected at their ends, corner plates carried by the bottoms of said sills, each plate being secured to one sill and overlapping the other but disconnected therefrom.

5. In a portable house, a base comprising side and end beams having their meeting ends mitered, strap hinges connecting the beams and having their leaves attached to the inner facesv thereof, bolts connecting the mitered ends intermediate the inner and outer angles, and plates at the corners underlapping the miter joints and secured to one of the beams only.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK CORNLEUS DORMAN.

Witnesses J. B. WHITE, IRIS SHANK. 

